Manhattan Christian’s Caidin Hill, Jillian Frye lead State C golf after Day 1

FAIRMONT — Manhattan Christian freshman Caidin Hill fired an opening-round 79 to grab the lead of the State C boys golf tournament at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort on Tuesday afternoon.

Hill opened up with a front-nine 40, but bogeyed the first three holes on the back nine. From there, Hill rallied to shoot 39 on the back, leaving him as the only golfer to post a round below 80. Hill isn’t the only freshman atop the boys leaderboard, though, as Park City’s Tucker Johnstone was consistent all day. Johnstone tallied 42 on the front and 42 on the back for an 84, good enough for second place behind Hill.

While the freshmen shined, some of the upperclassmen struggled. Park City’s Talon Johnstone and White Sulphur Springs’ Will Syverson came in as two of the top eight qualifiers, but both sit well off the pace after they each carded opening-round 98s.

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Manhattan Christian has the leader on the girls side, too. Jillian Frye, who finished third last year, grabbed the lead after Day 1 by shooting an opening-round 91. Frye holds a two-shot lead on Ennis’ Landri Paladichuk, Lone Peak’s Delaney Pruiett and Harlowton’s Madison Wasson, who all shot 93s. Chinook’s Carrie Hofer and Belt’s Hannah Schweitzer shot 97 and 98, respectively, to keep themselves in the hunt. Schweitzer, Wasson and Hofer finished fourth, fifth and sixth last year.

The final round begins Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. with the leaders expected to tee off around 10:30 a.m.

Alec Bofinger joined the MTN sports team in May 2017. The Broadview native attended the University of Great Falls for a year, competing in track and field before transferring to Montana State University where he earned a Bacherlor's Degree in History.